Jay Leno Talks 'Tonight Show' Return, Says He Will 'Stay on the Titanic'

Jay Leno Laughs Off Hospitalization
Copyright 2009 Gerardo Mora / Getty Images
Jay Leno spoke out Thursday night about getting back his hosting job on "The Tonight Show," and he acknowledged Conan O'Brien's departure from NBC.

"Thanks for coming out on such a miserable rainy day," he told his studio audience at the top of Thursday's "Jay Leno Show." "It is almost as gloomy outside NBC as it is inside NBC."

At the end of his monologue, he addressed the future of "The Tonight Show."

"NBC and Conan O’Brien made an announcement earlier today. … Conan is leaving the network. His final show airs tomorrow night," Leno said. "I have chosen to stay on the Titanic. I don’t believe the iceberg is that big. This ship will never sink. … Apparently we'll be back on 'The Tonight Show' March 1 after the Olympics."

Published 1/21/10 by the Insider

Comments (16)

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  • I didn't know that Jay was asked to step down, Because he didn't cry like O' brien. The show was not good. N.B.C never should have move Jay. O'brien should take the money run.
    Anonymous 2/11/10 Reply
  • I do not like Jay 1 and will never watch "The Tonight Show" as long as he is the host !!
    Anonymous 2/11/10 Reply
  • way to go jay-- you are the tonight show-- love your show
    Anonymous 1/29/10 Reply
  • I am so happy that Leno is back where he belongs. NBC should have never removed him. I don't understand why they are blaming him. The idiots that are running NBC are at fault in this case.
    Anonymous 1/28/10 Reply
  • fdhgwe 1/25/10 Reply
  • Of course Jay will stay on the tonight show....he is like a baby that cant get rid of his toy, even at the expense of others. I will not be watching as he bores the public with his repeated impression of Schwartzenegger, and humiliation of his guests.
    Anonymous 1/25/10 Reply
  • I'm glad that Jay will be back on the Tonight Show.NBC really screwed up by taking him off in the first place.He had higher ratings than David Letterman always.Also he never wanted to leave.The NBC execs thought they were visionaries of the future. However their crystal ball was flawed.It's a shame that Conan and Jay had to deal with all this garbage.And the truth of the matter is Conans ratings were so bad that David Letterman beat him in the ratings.Welcome back Jay,you're funny without being foul mouthed and you're a good man.And conan good luck too.
    Anonymous 1/25/10 Reply
  • I think Leno IS the iceberg that's going to make the Tonight Show ship sink.
    Anonymous 1/24/10 Reply
  • i was glad to see Conan take the high road, the last 2 nights he has been funnier and not lap stick as he has been the last 7 mo. Jay is right that business is business.Good luck Conan and Jay.
    Anonymous 1/23/10 Reply
  • Conan O'Brien to Succeed Jay Leno in 2009, NBC Announces
    September 27, 2004
    Mr. O'Brien, signed a new contract early today at NBC. The deal guarantees Mr. O'Brien will serve at least two years as host of "Tonight," when he takes over from Mr. Leno. Mr. O'Brien had made it plain in interviews that his goal was to be the host of an 11:35 p.m. late-night show soon. NBC executives said today that Mr. Leno was instrumental in making the new arrangement, having agreed when he signed his latest deal in March that he would be willing to step aside for Mr. O'Brien in 2009. In a statement, Mr. Leno said: "When I signed my new contract, I felt that the timing was right to plan for my successor, and there is no one more qualified than Conan." The people involved in the negotiations said that Mr. O'Brien's representatives had been completely satisfied that NBC's commitment was real. They said that the contract Mr. O'Brien signed today included a multimillion dollar financial penalty if he did not get the "Tonight" show, a penalty payment so substantial that the network surely had no intention of ever having to pay it, according to people involved in the deal.
    This proves what a lying JERK Jay is. He could have gracefully stepped aside and let Conan stay on as the host like he said he would 6 years ago. Jay had 17 years as host he should let Conan have his chance. Jay is a JERK!!!!
    Anonymous 1/22/10 Reply
  • welcome back Jay! Conan may have the younger viewers but hey, we are not that old, with 8 of us being from age 26 to 34! We are for team Leno! Send Conan back to Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey! 8 younger viewers for TEAM LENO!
    Anonymous 1/22/10 Reply
  • Good! Im glad to see you back. I really did not like conans style of humor, maybe just too old. But after watching jay for the last 20 years I like him at 11:30
    Anonymous 1/22/10 Reply
  • Jay they shouldn't have taken you out from the Tonight Show. You were #1 on Tonight
    Anonymous 1/21/10 Reply
  • Love Leno and glad NBC asked him back! Don't see how Leno is bad, the network offered him a job and he took it.
    Anonymous 1/21/10 Reply
  • Jay is a bully and Conan has a much better show...I will watch Conan when he returns to tv... sorry Jay but your the bad guy
    Anonymous 1/21/10 Reply
    • Conan sucked and lost the networks millions of dollars and millions of lost viewers. Too nad he did not get funny till NBC wanted to move his time slot.
      Anonymous 1/22/10
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